Apparatus for stabilizing plant support stakes in pots

Abstract

Apparatus for stabilizing plant support stakes in a pot includes means spaced vertically and partially defining first and second loops for receiving and holding the plant. Means spaced vertically partially define third and fourth loops for receiving and holding the stake. A spacer member is between the first and second loops and the third and fourth loops. Means brace the loops in fixed relationship to the spacer member. In one embodiment, the bracing means includes a first brace disposed between the first and second loops and a second brace disposed between the third and fourth loops. The third and fourth loops may be respectively disposed within the first and second loops in the planar relationship and may be pivotable from this planar relationship to form the loops. The spacer member and the loops may be open to facilitate the circulation of air and water through the pot and to permit the roots of the plant to spread. In a second embodiment, the first and second partial loops respectively define complete loops with the third and fourth partial loops. The first and third partial loops may be supported near one end of the spacer member and the second and fourth loops may be supported near the opposite end of the spacer member. The bracing means may include a pair of braces extending between the loops. A wall spaced from the spacer member defines a receptacle with the spacer member and the braces for receiving and holding the stake.

I claim: 
     
       1. In combination for staking a plant in a pot, means defining a spacer member for disposition at an intermediate position in the pot,   means defining with the spacer member first and second loops at a pair of vertically spaced positions to receive and hold the plant, the second loop being disposed substantially directly below the first loop and being provided with a reduced diameter relative to that of the first loop wherein, the means defining the first and second loops and the spacer member are formed from a single member and the single member is pivotable at first particular positions to form the first and second loops, and   means defining with the spacer member third and fourth loops at a pair of positions directly below each other and respectively disposed in horizontally disposed relationship to the first and second loops to receive and hold the stake wherein, the third and fourth loops are disposed on the opposite side of the spacer member from the first and second loops.   
     
     
       2. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein the means defining the third and fourth loops are formed from the single member and the single member is pivotable at second particular positions to form the third and fourth loops.   
     
     
       3. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein the first and third loops define a first closed loop with the spacer member near one vertical end of the spacer member and the second and fourth loops define a second closed loop with the spacer member near the other vertical end of the spacer member.   
     
     
       4. In combination for staking a plant in a pot, means spaced vertically and partially defining first and second loops for receiving and holding the plant,   first means disposed between the first and second spaced loops to brace the loops,   means spaced vertically and partially defining third and fourth spaced loops for receiving and holding the stake,   second means disposed between the third and fourth spaced loops to brace the loops,   a spacer member disposed between the first and second loops and between the third and fourth loops to define compartments between the first and second loops and between the third and fourth loops respectively to receive and retain the plant and the stake wherein, openings are provided in the spacer member to provide a circulation of air, water and nutrients between the first and second loops and between the third and fourth loops and to provide an opportunity for the roots of the plant to spread, and   the first and second loops and the spacer member and the third and fourth loops are made from a single member and the first and second loops and the third and fourth loops are pivotable on the spacer member.   
     
     
       5. The combination set forth in claim 4 wherein the third and fourth loops are respectively disposed within the first and second loops before the loops are pivoted on the spacer member.   
     
     
       6. The combination set forth in claim 5 wherein each of the first and second bracing means constitutes a separate member.   
     
     
       7. The combination set forth in claim 4 wherein the first and second loops are disposed near one vertical end of the spacer member and are pivotable in opposite directions relative to the spacer member and the third and fourth loops are disposed near the opposite vertical end of the spacer member and are pivotable in opposite directions.   
     
     
       8. In combination for staking a plant in a pot, means spaced vertically and partially defining first and second loops for receiving and holding the plant,   means spaced vertically and partially defining third and fourth loops for receiving and holding a stake,   a spacer member disposed between the first and second loops and between the third and fourth loops,   means for bracing the loop in fixed relationship to the spacer member,   the first and third partial loops are continuations of each other to define a single closed loop and the second and fourth partial loops are continuations of each other to define a single closed loop,   the first and third partial loops are supported at one end of the spacer member and the second and fourth partial loops are supported at the other end of the spacer member,   the bracing means includes a pair of braces extending between the first and second loops and between the third and fourth partial loops at spaced positions along the loops and in spaced relationship to the spacer member, and   a positioning wall is spaced from the spacer member to define a receptacle for receiving the stake.   
     
     
       9. The combination set forth in claim 8 wherein the spacer member is provided with at least one opening and the first, second, third and fourth loops are open to facilitate the circulation of air, water and nutrients through the pot.   
     
     
       10. The combination set forth in claim 8 wherein holes are provided in various ones of the closed loops, the spacer member, the braces and the positioning wall and detents are provided in other ones of the closed loops, the spacer member, the braces and the positioning wall in cooperative relationship with the holes to retain the closed loops, the spacer member, the braces and the positioning wall in an assembled relationship.   
     
     
       11. In combination for staking a plant in a pot, means defining a spacer member for disposition at an intermediate position in the pot,   means defining with the spacer member first and second loops at a pair of vertically spaced positions, to receive and hold the plant, the second loop being disposed substantially directly below the first loop and being provided with a reduced diameter relative to that of the first loop,   means defining with the spacer member third and fourth loops at a pair of positions directly below each other and respectively disposed in horizontally disposed relationship to the first and second loops to receive and hold the stake wherein the third and fourth loops are disposed on the opposite side of the spacer member from the first and second loops,   the first and third loops define a first closed loop with the spacer member near one vertical end of the spacer member and the second and fourth loops define a second closed loop with the spacer member near the other vertical end of the spacer member,   the spacer member, the first and second loops and the third and fourth loops are formed from a single member, and   the first and third loops are respectively pivotable in first and second opposite directions near the first end of the spacer member and the second and fourth loops are respectively pivotable in the second and first opposite directions near the other end of the spacer member.   
     
     
       12. The combination set forth in claim 11 wherein the first, second, third and fourth loops are constructed to provide a planar relationship with the spacer member in one pivotable disposition and the third and fourth loops are respectively constructed to be disposed within the first and second loops in such pivotable disposition.   
     
     
       13. In combination for staking a plant in a pot, means spaced vertically and partially defining first and second loops for receiving and holding the plant,   means spaced vertically and partially defining third and fourth loops for reveiving and holding a stake,   a spacer member disposed between the first and second loops and the third and fourth loops,   means for bracing the loops in fixed relationship to the spacer member,   the bracing means includes a first brace disposed between the first and second loops and a second brace disposed between the third and fourth loops, and   means are provided in the fourth loop for obtaining adjustments in the width of the apparatus near the bottom of the apparatus.   
     
     
       14. The apparatus set forth in claim 13 wherein the fourth loop is extended and is provided with weak points at progressive positions along its extended length to facilitate a reduction in such length to a selected value.